z 
42 “PLATE ¥VEL 
particular exceeds in fize even our Sphinx Atropos ; this is Nepa Gran= 
dis, a native of Surinam, and India: Befides this there are two or more 
other fpecies, little inferior in magnitude, with which the waters of 
the tropical climates abound. Nepa Cinerea ranks among the largeft 
of the European fpecies of this tribe. 
This Infect finks its eggs into the cavity of a rufh or other aquatic 
plant: in this fituation they hatch and crawl out. The perfec in- 
fe&ts are found in June, and from thence to September, or later; they 
are voracious, and feed on other aquatic animals, grafping their prey 
between their fore feet, and tearing them to pieces with their fharp 
roftrum.—They fly in the evening, and thus remove in herds from 
- one pool to another in times of drought, or when threatened with 
danger. 
The antennz are fo unufually diminutive, and differently con- 
{iru@ted from thofe of infeéts in common, that it was formerly fup- 
pofed the Nepz muft be deftitute of thefe organs; and that the che- 
liform or anterior pair of legs anfwered the fame purpofe in this 
remarkable genus, as the true antenne in other tribes of infedts. It 
is now afcertained they have antenne, and therefore do not requixe 
the affiflance of the inferior feet in lieu of them. 
\ 
ee PEATE 
